Here’s the story, if you haven’t read it. If not, and if you haven’t heard already: Larry Johnson is back with the Miami Dolphins.

Johnson was at practice when it began earlier on Thursday, and back in the No. 23 jersey he wore during his previous stint with the team.

Of course, the Dolphins cut Johnson on cut-down Saturday. That, to many, was a surprise move given the team kept just three other running backs: Reggie Bush, rookie Daniel Thomas and the veteran Lex Hilliard.
After all, Johnson did run for a 22-yard touchdown run in the Dolphins’ final preseason game. And he do a good job of stating why he still has a lot in the tank – mainly because, he said, he hadn’t had a lot of work in recent seasons.

But out Johnson went. And then, in Johnson came.

So what does this move indicate? A couple things.

For one, it’s likely not coincidental that Johnson returns on a day when Thomas spent the initial part of practice working with the training staff (practice is ongoing, and is now closed, so I can’t tell you what he’s doing now – but it’s not likely, I’d guess, that he’ll get much work in). With Thomas hobbled, and with his status perhaps in doubt for the season-opener on Monday night against the Patriots, the Dolphins had to do something to address the running back situation.

Another thing this move indicates: The Dolphins indeed liked Johnson.

If they didn’t they’d be bringing in another guy. It was surprising that the team didn’t keep Johnson because coach Tony Sparano and the Dolphins seem genuinely impressed with how Johnson was coming along in the preseason. He wasn’t great. That 22-yard touchdown run was really Johnson’s only highlight. But that was understandable, if not expected, given that Johnson had been out of the game for a while and then was brought into camp more than halfway through it.

“I think that IS interesting, particularly Soliai, considering how much cap space could have been saved had we inked him to a long-term deal, although I doubt we would have used any extra space to make any big moves…”

Try Pod,

I guess we’ll never know right??? I’m actually more surprised that we haven’t given Langford an extension since the guy has done everything right since he was drafted by these guys. If anyone has earned an extension it’s Langford BUT maybe Ross is taking a wait & see attitude on EVERYONE & EVERYTHING. If this is truly the case how can I blame him??? It’s his team & he wants to win NOW.

Lost in the page turn: I pretty much agree. I still think he should’ve broken the play off and ran to the right edge where he might only have a DB tackle to break, but it was kinda dead in the water at the snap.

WHP/Trypod:

I think WHP hit the nail on the head. Ross was willing to risk 12+million for one year, but didn’t want to potentially saddle a future FO and Coach with a long term contract. If the fins look like they’re going to break .500 at some point this season, and Soliai is playing up to his top 5 franchise status..then we’ll see a long term deal get done.

“Good point on GBs receiving options. It looks like Finely could have a huge year. He’s gonna be a mismatch for almost every team.”

The rich truly get richer. On top of Jennings (guy is great) & Nelson you add Cobbs with a 2nd round pick & you get back Finely???

Man…I can’t believe that Rodgers is the same guy who played at Cal & dropped like a rock in the draft. All I know is that he didn’t throw the ball like this in college. Remember “the Tedford Touch” theory & the comparisons to Kyle Boller??? Rodgers has a rocket & he is the first QB that even reminds me of Marino. The other guys like Peyton, Brees, Brady, Rivers, & Ben are all elite but Rodgers release is sick.

I don’t think Rodgers has a Marino like arm, but that’s just me. it’s a good arm, but it’s exactly that “tedford touch” that has got him to where he is. He’s an accuracy passer, with some arm strength to punctuate it, but I actually think guys like Rivers, Flacco and Cutler..and even possibly (dare I say this?) Henne, all have bigger arms.

FTR, I’ll take an accuracy guy over a canon guy anyday..and in no way shape or form would argue that any of those guys (except maybe Rivers) rivals Rodgers when it comes to playing the QB position.

“I think WHP hit the nail on the head. Ross was willing to risk 12+million for one year, but didn’t want to potentially saddle a future FO and Coach with a long term contract. If the fins look like they’re going to break .500 at some point this season, and Soliai is playing up to his top 5 franchise status..then we’ll see a long term deal get done.”

It’s just a theory. It just seems odd about the money being paid to Soliai who is now the team’s highest paid player but hardly a franchise player. Sure he played well last year but he has not established himself like the dominant D-lineman in the Ngata or the Wilfork class. I hope he does this year but it’s going to take a major leap on his part.

And what the hell does Langford need to do to get an extension??? Clearly he has earned a new deal & has outplayed his 3rd round contract from 2008.

That was not my intention. I was just surprised that you can be a fan of the team that long & be so excited after a disappointing season.

In all seriousness, good for you. Football is supposed to be fun for a fan & last season was not enjoyable for me. I want to enjoy this season & our team the way I did in 2008. That was the most fun I had as a fan in a LONG time.

I think WHP hit the nail on the head. Ross was willing to risk 12+million for one year, but didn’t want to potentially saddle a future FO and Coach with a long term contract. If the fins look like they’re going to break .500 at some point this season, and Soliai is playing up to his top 5 franchise status..then we’ll see a long term deal get done.

After thinking about it, it is the only conclusion I too can come up with. Everybody’s on a 1 year contract, with any extension dependent upon the success of the team this year

I think Rivers is the closest thing to Marino we’ve ever seen. Rodgers isn’t that sort of thrower. At least to me.

Rodgers is also just very smart with his throws. He has accuracy, but he also anticipates and sets up his receivers so damn well. The kid is just a very good QB…who has that added dimension of escapability that guys like Rivers don’t.

But, as far as pure arm ability and release, I’d still say Rivers is at another level.

I still think they may very well switch him to LT once Clifton is done. Sherrod is a project and could take another year or two before he’s really ready to go…and he could easily end up playing RT.”

Randy,

He’s exactly what you are looking for in a Tackle & there is very little doubt after watching him on every snap last night that he has the ability to play LT as well. His pass protection skills are excellent. The last RT that impressed me like that was Jeff Otah but he missed all of last season.

“I think Rivers is the closest thing to Marino we’ve ever seen. Rodgers isn’t that sort of thrower. At least to me.

Rodgers is also just very smart with his throws. He has accuracy, but he also anticipates and sets up his receivers so damn well. The kid is just a very good QB…who has that added dimension of escapability that guys like Rivers don’t.

But, as far as pure arm ability and release, I’d still say Rivers is at another level.”

Randy,

They’re both great QB’s. Both fundamentally sound. It bears mentioning that Rivers had a very funky side arm delivery in college & some scouts had serious doubts about that. Apparently QB’s can improve their mechanics at the NFL level but both he & Rodgers did not have accuracy issues.

Bulaga looked improve. I remember Cam Wake abusing Bulaga last year. I had come away not impressed with him after that game. He looked better last night. Not sure he can handle speed rushers well enough.

“That said..Hennes my boy this year. He’s gonna turn it around this season!”

I like Henne & I want him to succeed so man I sure hope you are right. The guy has taken a massive beating from the media & I’m sure he is more than properly motivated. Even Jimmy Clausen doesn’t get ripped the way he does & he’s a total zero.

“Bulaga looked improve. I remember Cam Wake abusing Bulaga last year. I had come away not impressed with him after that game. He looked better last night. Not sure he can handle speed rushers well enough.”

Ken,

I just remembered that the Saints were playing without their best pass rusher Will Smith last night b/c of his two game Star Caps suspension. He’s the REAL Will Smith. That other guy should change his name to Hancock..

“Cowboys agreed to terms with NT Jay Ratliff on a five-year, $40 million extension.
ESPN Dallas confirms that it’s a done deal. The new contract will be a five-year extension of the two years left on his current deal at $3.75 million in 2011 and $4.875 million in 2012. The new money includes $18 million in guarantees for the three-time Pro Bowler. Ratliff is entering his age-30 season, so it’s an extreme longshot that he’ll see all five years of that extension.”
Source: ProFootballTalk on Twitter
Sep 9 – 12:06 PM

I hope Thomas is a go. I really want to see this kid play in a real game & see what he’s made of.

“Daniel Thomas’ hamstring tweak is “very legitimately a day-to-day situation,” according to the Miami Herald.
The Dolphins are still holding out hope that Thomas will play Monday night after missing Thursday’s practice. Even if he does play, Thomas belongs on fantasy benches as a pure backup to Reggie Bush.”
Source: Miami Herald
Sep 9 – 11:06 AM

In terms of talent, ability, & production–no f#cking way. Bear in mind that we’re paying him $12.7 Million is guaranteed money on a one year tender & Ratliff just got $18 Million in guaranteed money over 5 years???? Therefore I’m positive that his agent thinks he can get a deal like that from someone.

“They’re both great QB’s. Both fundamentally sound. It bears mentioning that Rivers had a very funky side arm delivery in college & some scouts had serious doubts about that. Apparently QB’s can improve their mechanics at the NFL level but both he & Rodgers did not have accuracy issues.”

Back when I was arguing that you shouldn’t draft a QB with hopes you can change his mechanics I watched video side by side of Rivers in college and rivers now. There’s very little difference in his deliver between then and now.

I still don’t think you should draft a QB in hopes you can change his mechanics…let him throw it the way he throws it. If he’s too short to get it past the LOS with his organic delivery, don’t draft him.

My $.02

Rivers’ was never as bad as say Kaepernicks..which is why I was never for drafting Kaep..it was too funky. But other then subtle change that happens over time…NFL QBs don’t change their deliveries…not so much..and almost never is an overhaul (ala Tim Tebow) going to “take” so to speak.

I’m not saying that QBs shouldn’t emphasize good mechanics in their practice..I’m just saying that if their mechanics need an overhaul before they can play at the NFL level, you should leave em alone..because you’ll likely fail.

Coaches need to get out of their own way sometimes and I think trying to make a QB throw the ball 10k times in an offseason to change their delivery only further handcuffs a young QBs development when he should be focusing on reading defenses and decision making.

Jingles, Rivers raised his release point a little bit, that’s about it. Phil Simms said if you watched Peyton coming out of college and watch him now he’s changed quite a bit. Tom Brady had to improve everything about his game. LOL

Phil Simms also said that Ryan Mallett was clearly the best QB coming out this year….I bet you don’t agree with that!

It’s all good. We’ve had this discussion ad nauseeum..and it probably just comes down to coaching philosophy. I do believe these NFL coaches need to learn better when to stop micromanaging and get out of the way so the athletes can take over..but thats almost a whole ‘nother conversation.

Randy,

What are you high? You don’t think I know a loaded question when I see it?

Honestly, I don’t have time to get into it, and you’d discount any evidence I dug up to support my case anyway. So I’m ok with you thinking I’ve lost my mind.

I also admit, that it’s very possibly true (that I’ve lost my mind).

Regarding contracts reflecting players’ competencies (not talent IMHO), I think that’s the whole art of capology-putting a dollar value on a players worth to his team. It’s not easy to do which is why peoples play doesn’t match their contracts so often..but when you ask who the best LB free agent is at the end of the season, I’ll show you the LB FA who’s about to get the most guaranteed money.

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More